National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) (국가항공우주기술총국)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Government Space Agency
- Full Name: National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) (국가항공우주기술총국)
- F.K.A: National Aerospace Development Administration (국가우주개발국) (NADA-DPRK)
- A.K.A: North Korean Space Program, NATA, NATA-DPRK
- Affiliation: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)
- Year Founded: 주체102 (2013)
- Type: Ground Control, Spaceflight
- Predecessor: Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST)
- Accolades: N/A (astrobotany work planned, but not yet performed)
Summary
The National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK, North Korea) government space agency. The DPRK’s interest in space actually dates back to the 1980s, with the inception of the DPRK’s Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST). KCST was responsible for space exploration and satellite launches until 2013 when it was terminated and succeeded by NATA.
The National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA-DPRK) was formerly known as the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA-DPRK) until September of 2023, when the DPRK changed its name.
Despite intense international sanctions against the DPRK, NATA is capable of building and launching its own satellites. NATA has stated its intent to build a lunar probe and achieve crewed spaceflight.
